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Kent County Council, in line with central government thinking, has
concluded that the most effective way of delivering its BSF
Programme is by adopting the model of the Local Education
Partnership (LEP).
A LEP is a public private partnership between a local authority
(LA), Partnerships for Schools (the national body responsible for
delivering the Government's BSF programme) and a private sector
partner selected in open competition under European Union
procurement rules. It will be a joint venture company focused on
delivering BSF investment and charged with making every aspect of
the planned school improvements a reality.
In general, the LEP will:
- work with the LA and other local stakeholders to develop
strategic investment plans for secondary education for the
area;
- act as the single point of procurement and service provider -
ranging from design, construction, project management and
maintenance to ICT services;
- Integrate and manage a diverse range of supply chain
sub-contractors - ranging from building contractors and facilities
management services providers to ICT suppliers;
- enable delivery of projects through a mix of procurement routes
- both private finance initiative (PFI) and
conventionally-funded;
- deliver new and remodelled school buildings;
- maintain the new and remodelled schools - including facilities
management and ICT - under a long-term partnership
agreement.
Because of the scale of Kent's BSF Programme, KCC has chosen to
adopt a three LEP approach to ensure geographical coherence and
continuity of work flow. The three LEP should also stimulate a
healthy level of competition.
Under the LEP model, ownership and responsibility for
all aspects of local education (including spending) remains with
the LA. |